Removable Device Substrate Slidability for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face communication failures due to low slidability between the substrate and holder in removable devices, causing the apparatus main-body protrusion and guide to get caught together, leading to inaccurate attachment and positioning issues.
Innovation Solution
A removable device with an information storage unit and a low frictional structure between the substrate and holder, allowing the substrate to move on a virtual plane intersecting with the moving direction, reducing contact resistance and improving slidability to prevent catching and ensure accurate attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the substrate is held by the holder such that it can move on a virtual plane intersecting with the moving direction, then the guide can be fitted to the apparatus main-body protrusion, but the apparatus main-body protrusion and the guide may be caught together due to low slidability
Solution Approach 1:
A low frictional structure is introduced as an intermediary between the substrate and the holder. This structure mediates the interaction by reducing friction, allowing the substrate to slide smoothly against the holder during attachment, preventing the guide and protrusion from getting caught while maintaining the movable holding configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameter between the substrate and holder is changed by introducing the low frictional structure. This parameter change enables the substrate to move more freely on the virtual plane during attachment, resolving the catching issue while preserving the intended movement capability
2Manufacturing precision
If the substrate moves by being pushed against the holder during attachment, then the guide can be fitted to the protrusion, but communication failure may occur due to inaccurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The low frictional structure acts as a mediator that enables smooth relative movement between the substrate and holder during attachment. This ensures the guide can be properly fitted to the protrusion without catching, achieving accurate positioning that enables reliable terminal-to-substrate communication
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the friction parameter through the low frictional structure, the substrate can move accurately to its final position during attachment. This parameter modification ensures proper alignment between the terminal and substrate, preventing communication failures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The low frictional structure enhances the slidability between the substrate and holder, preventing communication failures and ensuring reliable attachment of the removable device to the image forming apparatus, thereby maintaining proper communication and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a low frictional structure arranged on a contact area between the substrate and the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A removable device is removably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body. The removable device includes an information storage device, a holder, and a low frictional structure. The information storage device includes: an information storage unit that stores information to be communicated between the apparatus main body and the removable device; a terminal to be contacted with an apparatus main-body terminal, for communicating information with the apparatus main body; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and that includes a guide to be fitted to a protrusion provided on the apparatus main body. The holder holds the substrate such that the substrate can move, when the removable device approaches the apparatus main-body terminal, on a virtual plane intersecting with a moving direction of the removable device. The low frictional structure is arranged on a contact area between the substrate and the holder.